Texans' Okam putting in extra work to earn playing time

Okam putting in some extra workTexans’ DT aims for improved second campaign

JORDAN GODWIN, Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle

Published 5:30 am, Monday, June 8, 2009

Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle

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Texans defensive tackle Frank Okam is trying to keep his weight down.

Texans defensive tackle Frank Okam is trying to keep his weight down.

Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle

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As a Longhorn, Frank Okam established himself as a strong presence on the interior defensive line.

As a Longhorn, Frank Okam established himself as a strong presence on the interior defensive line.

Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle

Texans' Okam putting in extra work to earn playing time

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In 2004, his first season at Texas, Frank Okam made a splash by earning first-team freshman All-American honors.

The defensive tackle’s first season in the NFL, however, wasn’t as heralded.

“That first year, you’re kind of thrown in the fire — you really don’t know what’s going on and your head’s all over the place,” Okam said. “But second year, you get to calm down and evaluate things that you didn’t do in the past so you can become better.”

As a Longhorn, Okam established himself as a strong presence on the interior defensive line. The Texans drafted him in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft, but he played in just five games as a rookie.

Okam took Texans coach Gary Kubiak’s advice and entered the team’s offseason conditioning program to bring his weight down and improve his agility.

“It’s nice to have that big of a body, but you still have to be athletic; you still have to be able to run the stunts and do those type of things, and Frank can do that at 335 (pounds) — he can’t do it at 360, so he’s working hard to get down,” Kubiak said. “I think he weighed in this morning at 339, which is a big step in the right direction for him.”

Pushing weight

Under Texans strength and conditioning coach Ray Wright’s guidance, Okam said he has benefited from the competitive nature of the program.

“The most important things that I’ve worked on are my footwork, being physical, point of attack, and just being the dominant presence that they need ,” Okam said.

With starting defensive tackle Travis Johnson sidelined for much of organized team activities with a hamstring injury, DelJuan Robinson has practiced in the starting spot, giving Okam more action with the second team.

“Frank’s taking advantage of an opportunity since Travis hasn’t been out here practicing,” Kubiak said. “DelJuan and Frank have been given an opportunity to step up and make the most of the opportunity, and they’re doing that.

“The more Frank works with (defensive line coach) Bill (Kollar), the more he sees himself as a player in this league, and that’s what we need.”

Job not in the bag

The Texans have a full house at the defensive tackle position. In addition to signing Shaun Cody, the team has brought in two rookies and is returning five players from last year’s roster, so cuts are inevitable.

“There’s some really good players trying to make this team and it’ll be tough,” Okam said. “But I feel like I’m getting better and things are coming more naturally to me now.

“I’m going to try to get to 330 by the time training camp starts so I can run around and make plays.”

Even with the improvements he has made, the former Longhorn admits that he still has a lot to prove in order to make the roster .

“These practices help, but training camp is where it’s all said and done,” Okam said. “Making plays there is what it’s going to come down to .”